You may be coming to counselling feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure why things feel the way they do. In therapy, this can show up in different ways for different people, and often develops over time through life experiences, stress, or difficult periods.
Depression Counselling in Dorset
Low mood or depression can feel like a sense of disconnection from yourself, others, or things that used to matter. You might feel flat, numb, or like you’re just going through the motions.
Many people have spent years suppressing emotions, so reconnecting with them can take time. Past experiences, patterns of behaviour, or attachment styles often play a part. It’s common to feel frustrated with yourself, or for others to misunderstand, saying things like “you’re lazy” or “you don’t care”, but that’s far from the truth.
Your responses have a reason, even if they don’t feel helpful right now. Your nervous system may be protecting parts of you that have been hurt or haven’t yet had a voice. That’s why, even if you think you should be able to feel or talk, it can feel out of reach. Your body and brain are responding with the strategies they’ve learned to survive.
Emergency/Crisis support between sessions
If you are experiencing difficulties and feel you need additional support, you may find these contact numbers and information useful (other services available)
NHS 111
Non-emergency enquiries
Your GP during surgery hours
Who can explore underlying physical health conditions that may relate to mental health difficulties and may be able to refer to specific NHS, council, or charities for specialist support to match individual needs.
Samaritans 116 123
Anonymous service for anyone in distress or feeling suicidal.
Anxiety UK 03444 775 774
A charity specialising in anxiety and related mental health illnesses that can offer counselling, helpline service and an array of information and advice.
Papyrus Hopeline UK 0800 068 41 41
Suicide prevention for young people up to the age of 35
Sane 0300 304 7000 4.30-10.30 pm
For anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers
Shout 85258
A free confidential 24/7 text service for anyone who feels they are not coping, suffering from anxiety, stress, depression, overwhelmed feelings or suicidal
Calm 0800 58 58 585 pm-midnight
The charity aims to prevent male suicide.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need urgent support, call 999 or contact your local Emergency Department/ A & E.
How I Work With The Nervous System
Working with the nervous system is a key part of my approach. At its core, this means creating a sense of safety in your body so your system can begin to settle and recognise the difference between past experiences and what’s happening now.
This is why we go at your pace — not mine. We work gently with what feels manageable, sitting with and listening to your experience moment by moment.
Counselling for low mood and depression
In counselling, we work with your nervous system rather than against it. With depression, this may not be about calming strong emotions, but gently noticing what there is or even what feels absent without pressure to change it.
Sometimes the nervous system responds to overwhelm by “turning down the volume” on feelings and energy. This can feel like numbness, disconnection, or not quite feeling like yourself, but it is a protective response, even if it no longer feels helpful.
You don’t need to arrive with words or emotions ready. We simply begin with what’s here, even if that is fog, numbness, or not knowing how you feel.
Different parts of you may be trying to cope in different ways. One part may want things to change, while another feels unable to move. Other parts may withdraw, shut things down, or keep feelings at a distance.
We go slowly, at a pace that feels manageable for your system. Over time, this can support a gentle shift where emotions feel less distant, and you may begin to notice a gradual reconnection with yourself, not all at once, but in small, steady ways.
If you’re unsure where to start, you’re welcome to get in touch; we can figure it out together.